Festival del Habano 2015: American boost for Cuba’s cigar festival

Cuba’s annual cigar festival (Festival del Habano) is being held in Havana between February 23 and February 27.

The communist island is again the venue of the largest international meeting for the enthusiasts of the best cigar in the world.

At 17th edition of the Habanos Festival American visitors are able to take cigars home legally for the first time in decades.

A thaw in US-Cuban relations means American smokers will be able to stock up on products worth up to $100.

Havana cigars have been banned in the US for more than 50 years under the terms of a trade embargo.

Hundreds of visitors are expected at the week-long festival.

The last edition of the Habanos Festival was attended by more than 1,300 delegates from 60 countries and 250 journalists.

The Commercial Fair will again be celebrated during the week of the Festival. In 2014, the Fair was attended by 60 exhibitors from 7 countries and received over 2,200 visitors from the world of cigar, luxury products and business.

Despite the recent rapprochement between Washington and Havana, most Americans are still not allowed to travel to Cuba.

However some US citizens, including relatives of Cubans or academics, are allowed to visit and take advantage of the new rules.